Minam Game Unit

Arrow_Addiction · Mar 25, 2009

Several of my friends and I are trying to plan a hunt in the Minam unit in Oregon. Is this a good bow hunting unit for Elk and Deer?

Spooner · Mar 25, 2009

PM Sent

4blade · Mar 25, 2009

The best thing it has going for it is alot of it is in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. If you have horses or are willing to do some hardcore backpacking there is some decent hunting there.

Like alot of other places, the part of the Minam that has roads gets alot of presure. (tags are not limited in that unit)

For the most part you are looking at 300 to 330 bulls in there...there are a few 350 type bulls but they are far and few between.

Great country...good luck!

4blade · Mar 25, 2009

didnt realize you mentioned deer as well Arrow_Addiction so I will toss in my 2 cents on that as well.

again the best hunting is in the wilderness area and it is fun to hunt, the glassing is great...for the most part the ground is straight up and down...timbered North slopes, open South slopes etc...I have glassed some good bucks in there but the counrty will kick your a$$

bullnanza · Mar 25, 2009

I have horses and have hunted[rifle] the minam for over 25 years. If you dont have horses I would hire an outfitter or look at another unit. Backpacking into the minam would be a tough hunt.You would need to get in at least 6 to 8 miles to get away from the trailhead hunters. And, if you happen to kill something, packing it out would be a bunch of work for sure. Paying an outfitter for a drop camp would be money well spent.

Arrow_Addiction · Mar 26, 2009

Bullnanza, a drop camp sounds great. When I was at my local sportsman show my friends and I ran in to an outfit called Moss Springs Outfitter. Have you ever heard of this outfit. I looked them up online and they seem lagit but I couldn't find any references.

Thanks for the help,

Arrow_Addiction

WapitiBob · Mar 26, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-09 AT 10:38AM (MST)[p]I have not used him but he is one of two that are consistently mentioned as the guys to go with in NE Oregon on other forums I frequent.

http://www.oregonelkhunter.com/

You can PM "#####" on this site also. he is the other one I hear about.

oregonmuley · Mar 26, 2009

I have hiked the Eagle Cap wilderness a bunch. I hunted it 2 years ago for deer - rifle that is. Like already mentioned, you have up and you have down in the Minam - not much flat country at all - really great country though. And like mentioned, you need to be back in maybe 9+ miles to get into the best part of the unit. If you have maybe 3-4 guys and you agree to only maybe kill one bull or a couple deer you can do it yourself, otherwise there is no way you can DIY backpack in and out with all your stuff and game, its just too far and steep. And even in early September, be prepared for all kinds of weather- from 80 degrees to a snowstorm, rent a sat phone, have the best gear and get in better shape than you think you need to be in - its that big on there. Or, find a good packer and call them on your sat phone if you get an animal down. As far as game, yes there are some pretty nice bulls and some pretty decent bucks in there, but you better be prepared to glass for them, for the elk its almost easier to find them than the big bucks - but there really isn't anything easy in the Eagle Caps. Great hunt though if you make it.

Damer · Apr 3, 2009

I live over here in that country! The Minam is nasty, nasty country! The deer over here in NE Oregon, especially tha Eagle Caps is at its worst! Elk are everywhere!

oldoregon · Apr 3, 2009

check out www.delsolwildernessadventures.com

bullnanza · Apr 4, 2009

I have my own pack stock so I havent used an outfitter. But having been in the eagle cap every year I have seen most of the outfitters operate. In a drop camp hunt you are buying horse transportation to and from your pre determined camp site. I think the outfitter you used would depend on where you want to camp. The eagle cap is split by the forrest service into areas with permits being issued for the use of that area by an outfitter/packer. So picking a camp site would determine which outfitter you would want to pack you in. IMO Barry Cox does a good job, I have seen him at work and they know there stuff. This is rugged country so a greenhorn who doesnt know how to pack wont be in business very long. In reality I havent heard anything bad about any of the packers who are currently working in the minam unit.

Arrow_Addiction · Apr 6, 2009

Where are some of the better places to set up camp? The amount of hiking isn't a concern. I really want to be in a good area and away from all the heavaly pressured areas.

oldoregon · Apr 6, 2009

That will probably have to be something that you will just have to study maps for, and try it one year. After that you can just start learning the country like most of the rest of us have. You probably won't have any luck getting people to divulge much here on the internet. Anyways, I hope that is the case. The internet has ruined some good hunting in the Minam, I hope people are starting to learn that...

Califelkslayer · Apr 6, 2009

Hey guys, not to steal the post but is the same true for the Imnaha unit?? Which unit has more Eagle Cap?? And does it matter OTC archery, DIY?? You could hunt any of it right??

Arrow, sorry to change your subject but it may benefit you too.

packerhorse · Apr 6, 2009

I've spent a lot of years packing my mules in the Eagle Cap. From the way it is now to the way it was in the 80's and before, a lot has changed. The Minam has a Big Cat problem as well as the hole Wilderness does. If I was to hunt Elk there again it would be from the South East area. I have seen some nice Elk and some big Bucks, but there very few anymore.
The Eagle Cap is called the Little Switzerland and it is rightly so...

Packer

Damer · Apr 6, 2009

The Minam has more of the Eagle Caps! Both units are over the counter. The Imnaha gets a lot of pressure!

oregonmuley · Apr 7, 2009

Not really that many "secret spots" left on the Eagle Caps. For how big it is seems you always run into somebody poking around. There are some small nasty spots but seems they are tougher to find each year. But yes it sure if pretty

Arrow_Addiction · Apr 7, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-09 AT 02:19PM (MST)[p]Oldoregon, I hope you take this for witch it was intended. I don't have the luxury of making several tips out of state to "Just Try It". I respect that you want to keep the rif raft out of good hunting areas. I don't think the internet has ruined this area I think people that don't do the proper reasearch have runied the area.I thought this forum was here so that serous hunters can talk real hunting and just get the facts. Other wise what is this forum for? I'm not looking for secrets or tricks. I just want to be as educated as possible so when I chose an outfit to go with they are the right fit for my friend and my self. I'm not looking to just venture off into the Minam unit by myself. I'm looking for the best outfit that money can buy and want to have a great hunt. Thats it.

Arrow_Addiction

Gator · Apr 8, 2009

nicely put, It's about finding a outfitter that is cheap and reliable so if you have some information please post it or don't port it, this isn't a post about stay out out of my private spots.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

oldoregon · Apr 8, 2009

I am sorry if I offended you with my remarks, but I mean what I said. My point is that the Eagle Cap is beautiful everywhere you go, and for the most part it is all decent hunting. Those places that I consider to be great hunting, I obviously will not share with anyone because they might choose to hunt there. The reason these spots are great is because not many (if any) people hunt there. I think it is important for us to be careful about what we put on the internet. You have to remember that this is a public forum... anybody can ready it and I think it is important to remember that one of those people might choose to hunt your spot. I would recommend that you find a drainage or area on a map that looks good to you, and calling the outfitter that is in control of that area, and asking questions. The outfitter can recommend a camping spot that will give good access to many good hunting spots. If you go on a guided hunt, whichever outfitter you choose will put you and his guides in the best possible spot in his area. Takes the guesswork right out of it for you.